Vote of confidence given

NAPOLEONVILLE — For the seventh consecutive year, Assumption Parish’s school superintendent received a high grade from School Board members in their annual evaluation process.

Results released during Wednesday’s board meeting showed Earl “Tibby” Martinez averaged very positive scores from the nine board members in numerous categories.

These included relationships with board members, system staff, teachers and administrators and the community and board member opinion of his leadership ability at both the local and state levels, members said.

Lawrence Howell said he and his colleagues on the board scored Martinez on a scale of 1 to 5 in each category, with 5 being the most positive option.

The results showed Martinez averaged scores of no less than 4.43 among the categories.

Martinez has served as superintendent since 2004.

“Assumption Parish is very lucky to have a superintendent that cares as much as Mr. Martinez does,” Howell said. “He’s shown that he will do as much as he can, even with limited resources in some situations.”

Other matters brought before the board during the meeting included:

GRADUATION COUNSELOR: The board approved creation of a graduation coach/counselor position, and opened a two-week advertising period to hire for the post.

Human Resources Director Tootie Hock said the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education mandated creation of the position in each district.

According to the approved job description, the graduation coach will help middle- and high school-age special-education students to “overcome problems that impede learning and ability to progress grade to grade with their regular education cohort, and assist them in making appropriate education, occupation and life plans.”

The position will replace the system’s Action Academy program, but will serve the same students, said Marsha Medine, system special population coordinator.

The graduation coach, who would work with up to 45 students during the school year, will be headquartered at the Napoleonville Middle School campus, Medine said.